Empire Conquest
Chapter 119 - 115 Racing Against Time

Chapter 119: Chapter 115 Racing Against Time

The appearance of that reconnaissance aircraft once again proved Kitamura’s speculation, the Third Air Corps were to the North, and perhaps had already begun launching their shipborne aircraft for the attack mission.

Lan Yun did not intervene, as the Commander of the Mobile Fleet, he did not need to inquire about every single detail.

Soon, the Type 99 ship bombs stationed on the flight deck began to take off.

In the distance, the "Feilong" also accelerated, taking off the Zero Fighters in advance.

It was precisely 7:40 a.m.

When Kitamura came out from the Command Bridge, Lan Yun was still staring intently at the low-pressure cumulonimbus clouds to the Northwest, with a very distressed expression on his face.

Over the past few decades, Westerners had often lamented that their God had emigrated to the Liangxia Empire. Lan Yun and the military and civilians of the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom had always scoffed at this, thinking such thoughts undermined their own prestige and boosted others’ morale; finding it completely foolish and meaningless.

Now, Lan Yun found himself privately echoing the same sentiment.

Only it was not the Western God that had "migrated" to the Liangxia Empire, but the Amaterasu that the Saiyi people worshipped.

"Commander..."

It was only after Kitamura called out to remind him that Lan Yun came back to his senses.

"Should we prepare the second wave of attacks immediately, or wait a bit longer?"

Lan Yun’s brows were tightly furrowed, clearly puzzled by Kitamura’s question.

It was not Lan Yun’s fault, for when he served as a staff officer, the shipborne air force had not yet been born, and even airplanes were extremely rare. In terms of air combat tactics, Lan Yun was almost completely knowledgeable. However, as the Fleet Commander responsible for decision-making, it was unnecessary to be an expert in everything.

If the Fleet Commander hoarded all tasks, what was the purpose of the staff?

"If we start preparing the second wave of attacks now, it will take about an hour to complete. By then, we can have the fighters that took off before dawn return to the carriers for refueling," Kitamura paused briefly, then continued, "The Third Aviation Mixed Fleet is four hundred kilometers to our Northeast, even if they have already prepared their shipborne aircraft for takeoff before daybreak and launched them immediately after receiving the reconnaissance aircraft report, it will take at least two hours, around 9:30 a.m. to arrive. If we do not immediately launch the second wave of attacks, but stick to the original plan, considering the air defense combat, we will definitely not be able to send out the Attack Aircraft Group before 9:30 a.m."

"The first wave of planes has taken off, with the first Zero Fighters expected to arrive around 8:30 a.m. After that, isn’t there at least an hour’s time? Isn’t that enough?"

According to the earlier arrangement, the second wave of attacks would be launched only after the first wave of planes had arrived and initiated the attack, that is, after the reconnaissance aircraft had confirmed that the target was indeed the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet. The key was that the Mobile Fleet had only so many shipborne aircraft; they absolutely must not shoot blindly.

"An hour will certainly be enough, but by that time, we will have to prioritize the return of the air defense fighters, and with the flight deck occupied, the Attack Aircraft Group will not be able to take off," Kitamura gritted his teeth and added, "If we have the fighters return now, then the second wave of attack..."

Lan Yun pressed down his hand, and Kitamura did not continue.

Recalling the fighters would occupy the flight deck, definitely preventing the aircraft scheduled for the second wave of attacks from being prepared, inevitably leading to a delay in launching the second wave. If it dragged on past 9:30 a.m., there might no longer be a chance to launch the shipborne aircraft for the second wave of attacks.

Even if it were possible, it would be delayed until after 11 a.m.

Delayed by a few hours, would the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet still be in that sea area, doing nothing?

But what if the second wave of attacks were launched now and the reconnaissance aircraft had gotten it wrong?

And who could guarantee that the Special Mixed Fleet they engaged with yesterday wasn’t still tailing them?

If the Special Mixed Fleet was still doggedly pursuing, and the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet in the North turned to evade after being exposed, then launching the second wave of attacks now would be a waste of resources. What would they have left to launch an attack with when they discovered the Special Mixed Fleet trailing them?

Let’s not forget, even if everything went smoothly for the first wave of Attack Aircraft Group, a round trip of 800 kilometers would take three hours. Counting the time taken to refuel and rearm after returning, the earliest they could redeploy would be before noon in theory, but in practice, it would definitely take longer.

It was clear that within the next few hours, the ship-borne aircraft remaining on the two carriers were the Mobile Fleet’s only means of attack.

But Kitamura had made it very clear.

If they waited for the first wave of Plane Group to report back before making arrangements, they’d definitely be unable to deploy the second wave of Attack Aircraft before being attacked.

After staring at the aviation personnel on the flight deck for a while, Lan Yun finally exhaled.

"Commander..."

"Go make the arrangements. Don’t forget to tell Major Yan Ben to give me fifteen minutes; I will personally see off the pilots who are to execute the second wave of attacks."

This Yan Ben was the squadron leader of the first Air Corps’ Fighter squadron and a Zero Fighter pilot. He had flown three sorties yesterday, achieving six aerial victories. Since Genda was leading the first strike and You Yong had perished yesterday, now they could only rely on Yan Ben for frontline command.

Kitamura didn’t ask further. If there had been a second option, he wouldn’t have suggested launching a second attack.

The Mobile Fleet had already been spotted by the enemy’s Reconnaissance Aircraft and was within the strike range of the third Aviation Mixed Fleet.

The Special Mixed Fleet they engaged with yesterday was likely following behind.

From any angle, the Mobile Fleet would be struck before noon, and the mere dozen or so Zero Fighters would not hold up. If they abandoned the second wave of attacks and left the dozen or so planned escort Zero Fighters to perform anti-air tasks, there might be a glimmer of hope.

But the hope wasn’t significant,

If anti-aircraft Fighters were so effective, they would have spotted that Reconnaissance Aircraft right at the start.

Moreover, yesterday’s combat had proven that

as long as the enemy pilots were fearless and disregarded their losses, a few aircraft would always manage to penetrate the intercepts of the anti-air Fighters.

It was evident that even if they reserved enough Fighters, it would probably be of little avail.

So, what else was there to be concerned about?

Clearly, launching the second wave of attacks now meant choosing between preserving oneself and annihilating the enemy.

Kitamura had also come to realize that Lan Yun might have had no hope from the beginning and never considered leading the Mobile Fleet out of the Flame Sea.

Don’t forget, all those Reconnaissance Aircraft sent out before dawn flew north.

Focusing on striking the third Aviation Mixed Fleet coming from the north was actually a cover for the Main Battle Corps ahead. If prioritizing their own safety, they needed to be more wary of the Mixed Fleet chasing them from behind and should therefore pay more attention to the west, sending Reconnaissance Aircraft to search in that direction.

From a different perspective, everything became clear.

If the Mobile Fleet had no chance of escaping the Flame Sea, then managing to take out the Liangxia Navy’s third Air Corps in today’s battle and successfully covering for the Main Battle Corps’ escape would also amount to significant meritorious service. More importantly, if they ultimately won this war, the Saiyi Imperial Country would regard both the Mobile Fleet and its Navy soldiers as heroes of the Empire’s rejuvenation, earning them a place in the temple.

Besides, if yesterday’s Special Mixed Fleet hadn’t followed, then launching the second wave of attacks now might allow them to annihilate the enemy while also preserving themselves!

In any case, they shouldn’t hesitate.

Kitamura didn’t delay and went straight to find Yan Ben, instructing him to mobilize the pilots as soon as possible and arrange for the second wave of attacks to be carried out.

In fact, Kitamura and Lan Yun were wrong; that Reconnaissance Aircraft did not come from the third Aviation Mixed Fleet.

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